Southern California -- this just in

Two masked gunmen stole at least a dozen firearms from an Anaheim sporting goods store early Monday, authorities said.

The robbery occurred about 5:30 a.m. at a Big 5 Sporting Goods store near Orangethorpe Avenue and Lemon Street, said spokesman Rick Martinez of the Anaheim Police Department.

Four employees were unloading merchandise deliveries from a truck in the rear of the store, which was closed at the time, when two masked men appeared, one carrying a shotgun and the other a handgun, Martinez said.

They ordered the employees to the ground and stole a variety of merchandise, including at least a dozen guns, Martinez said. Store employees are conducting an inventory to learn exactly what was stolen.

The robbers left on foot and were wearing masks and gloves, so employees could not describe them or a getaway vehicle, Martinez said.

But “employees did hear what appeared to be a car starting,” so the gunmen may have parked a car nearby, he said.

Detectives will comb the store for forensic evidence that could help lead to the suspects.